U.S. patent application number 11/491419 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-25 for methods and systems for automatically creating a site menu.
This patent application is currently assigned to BILLEO, INC.. Invention is credited to Shankar Chittoor, Rajesh Lalwani, Allwyn Lobo, Murali Subbarao.
Application Number | 20070022419 11/491419 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37680478 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070022419 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Subbarao; Murali ; et
al. |
January 25, 2007 |
Methods and systems for automatically creating a site menu
Abstract
A method, system and computer program product for organizing and
presenting web page information to a user. A browser plug-in
extracts a domain name for the web page. Subsequently, a web page
category is determined based on the menu table stored in the
central repository. The browser plug-in captures the web links
included in the web page based on the category of the web page. The
captured web links are presented to a user on the browser
plug-in.
Inventors: |
Subbarao; Murali; (Saratoga,
CA) ; Lobo; Allwyn; (Campbell, CA) ; Chittoor;
Shankar; (Fremont, CA) ; Lalwani; Rajesh;
(Saratoga, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William L. Botjer
PO Box 478
Center Moriches
NY
11934
US
|
Assignee: |
BILLEO, INC.
|
Family ID: |
37680478 |
Appl. No.: |
11/491419 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60702120 |
Jul 25, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
717/173 ;
717/178 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/958
20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
717/173 ;
717/178 |
International
Class: |
G06F 9/44 20060101
G06F009/44 |
Claims
1. A method for organizing and presenting information to a user in
a browser plug-in for navigating to web pages within a web site the
method comprising the steps of: a. downloading the web page in the
web browser, the web page being downloaded by a user; b.
determining a category for the web page; c. obtaining a menu
template for the web page from the central repository, based on the
category of the web page; d. capturing web links included in the
web page based on the category of the web page; e. mapping web
links for the web page to the menu template; and f. presenting the
web links to the user, wherein the web links are presented on a
browser plug-in of the user.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of downloading the web
page in the web browser comprises the step of downloading the web
page in the web browser, the web page being downloaded from a list
of web pages provided by the browser plug-in.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of downloading the web
page in the web browser comprises the step of downloading the web
page in the web browser by inputting a Universal Resource Locator
(URL) in the web browser.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of downloading the web
page in the web browser comprises the step of initiating the
browser plug-in in the web browser.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining the menu
template comprises the steps of: a. creating template menu in a
central repository for each category for navigating web sites; b.
specifying labels and images as menu items for one or more
categories; c. organizing the template menu to have standard items
for a category, and specific items for a web site; d. specifying
the rank order for presenting menu items; e. editing menu items for
graphical user interface wherein the standard items for a web site
can be edited by an editor and specific items for a web site can be
edited by the biller after proper authentication; f. pre-assigning
links to standard menu items; g. marking for links that are broken;
and h. marking links for allowing overriding of automatic
assignment of information from the downloaded web page.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of checking
tags in the web page, the tags providing the details regarding the
web links present within the web page.
7. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of reading the
program code of the web page for searching the keywords in the web
page.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of presenting the web
links comprises the steps of: a. showing a predefined order of menu
items stored in the central repository; b. showing menu items based
on ranking of web pages accessed by a user or community of users;
and c. allowing user to add items to the menu items.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of capturing the web
links included in the web page comprises the steps of: a.
encrypting the links obtained from the web page; and b. saving the
encrypted web links on a computer of a user.
10. The method of claim 9, further including the step of deleting
the saved links when the user logs out of the web page.
11. The method of claim 9, further including the step of deleting
the saved links when the user closes the web page.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: a.
determining ranking of the webpage, the ranking of the webpage is
based on the web page usage; and b. determining broken links in the
web page, the broken links determination for the webpage is based
on the usage of the web page.
13. A system for organizing and presenting information to a user,
the information being related to a web page, the system comprising:
a. an Account Management Platform (AMP), the AMP storing the
information; and b. a browser plug-in, the browser plug-in enabling
the user to communicate with the AMP, the browser plug-in being a
software is installed on the computing device, the browser
plug-in.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the AMP comprises: a. a central
repository, wherein the central repository is a database for
storing the information; and b. an application, wherein the
application enables the browser plug-in to communicate with the
AMP.
15. A computer program product for use with a stored program
computer for organizing and presenting information to a user, the
information being related to a web page, the computer program
product comprising a computer readable medium comprising: a. one or
more instructions for downloading the web page in the web browser,
the web page being downloaded by a user; b. one or more
instructions for determining a category for the web page; c. one or
more instructions for obtaining a menu template for the web page
from the central repository, based on the category of the web page;
d. one or more instructions for capturing web links included in the
web page based on the category of the web page; e. one or more
instructions for mapping web links for the web page to the menu
template; and f. one or more instructions for presenting the web
links to the user, wherein the web links are presented on a browser
plug-in.
16. The computer program product of claim 15 further comprising: a.
one or more instructions for determining ranking of the webpage,
the ranking of the webpage being based on the web page usage; and
b. one or more instructions for determining broken links in the web
page, the broken links determination for the webpage is based on
the web page usage.
17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the
instructions for obtaining the menu template comprises: a. one or
more instructions for creating template menu in a central
repository for each category or navigating web sites; b. one or
more instructions for specifying labels and/or images as menu items
for one or more categories; c. one or more instructions for
organizing the template menu to have standard items for a category,
and specific items for a web site; d. one or more instructions for
specifying rank order for presenting menu items; e. one or more
instructions for editing menu items for graphical user interface
wherein the standard items for a web site can be edited by an
editor and specific items for a web site can be edited by the
biller after proper authentication; f. one or more instructions for
pre-assigning links to standard menu items; g. one or more
instructions for marking for links that are broken; and h. one or
more instructions for marking links with information to allow
override of automatic assignment of information from the downloaded
web page.
18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the
instructions for presenting the web links comprises: a. one or more
instructions for showing a predefined order of menu items stored in
the central repository; b. one or more instructions for showing
menu items based on ranking of web pages accessed by a user or
community of users; and c. one or more instructions for allowing
user to add items to the menu items.
19. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the
instructions for capturing the web links included in the web page
comprises: a. one or more instructions for encrypting the links
obtained from the web page; and b. one or more instructions for
saving the encrypted web links on a computer of a user.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/702,120, filed on Jun. 25, 2005, which is
hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to the Internet. More
particularly the present invention relates to navigation of web
pages over the Internet.
[0003] The World Wide Web of the Internet is a significant
contribution to the field of computing. In the web environment,
user machines effect transactions with web servers using the
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). HTTP is a known application
protocol that provides access to files (e.g., text, graphics,
images, sound, video, etc.) on the web server.
[0004] A web page is a document created with HTML (HyperText Markup
Language) that is part of a group of hypertext documents or
resources available on the World Wide Web. Collectively, these
documents and resources form what is known as a web site. A unique
Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is assigned for presenting any
webpage or resource on the internet. The URL is an address that
specifies the location of a file on the Internet. A web page may
have links to other files and servers on the Internet. Generally,
the links are categorized as a menu. The menu includes a set of
hypertext links to more details. The menu may direct the user to
other web pages or files located within the server or at other
servers. For example, the web pages of Business Week
(www.businessweek.com) offer a menu that is placed horizontally at
the top of the web page. The appearance, format and location of the
menu may differ with every web page, and some times even with every
web page within the same web site.
[0005] In addition, various web sites provide similar services over
the Internet. For instance, web sites maintained by various basking
institutions provide identical services. These services require the
user to perform actions that are common among all these different
web sites. For instance, actions such as "contact for customer
services", or "know your account summary", etc. are commonly
provided by various online banking web sites. However, the
description of such common actions may not be identical across such
web sites. For example, the home page for American Express has a
link for performing the action of bill payment, with a description
that says "Check and pay your bill". This link is listed in a menu
for "Small Businesses". On the other hand, the home page for
Citibank has a link for executing the same action of bill payment
with the description "Bill Payment". Moreover, this link has been
listed in a drop-down menu under the title "look for a product or
service".
[0006] The content of services provided by various web sites is
confidential. The confidential information includes personal
messages, financial transactions made, balance available and the
like. Access to this information is permitted through an
authentication mechanism such as username and password; or by
disclosing personal account details such as account number. Links
to access such confidential information can be obtained for that
user only after authentication information is provided.
[0007] In light of the above discussion, there is a need for a
method and a system for automatically presenting a menu of links
for accessing similar web pages on different web sites in a
consistent, user-friendly manner to a user. Moreover, the method
and the system should enable organizing and presenting access to a
variety of web pages, such as statements, bills, payment
confirmation, and the like. The method should also permit learning
from the community of users about web pages most frequently
accessed within a web site and presenting it to all users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a method, a
system, and a computer program that displays information contained
within a Web page in the form of links, in a user-friendly manner,
through a dynamic user interface inside the browser, and a uniform
way of navigating to web pages for frequently accessed information
across web sites.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
method, a system, and a computer program to create an automated
browser plug-in inside the browser that enables the user as well as
the community of all users to efficiently navigate through such
information contained in a web page. The browser plug-in presents
the user with the information contained in a web page by grouping
the information into common categories.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
method, a system, and a computer program to obtain information
contained in new web pages accessed by a user and enables the user
to efficiently navigate through this information.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
method, a system, and a computer program for overriding of the
automatic mapping for a specific domain. The override can be for
the menu item keyword, or URL or image URL information, which is
used by the browser plug-in to create the URL.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
method, system and computer program to create an automated browser
plug-in that presents the user with the information contained by a
web page which can be accessed only after some form of
authentication by the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter
be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to
illustrate, and not to limit the invention, wherein like
designations denote like elements, and in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an operational environment for various
embodiments of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for navigating a web
page, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates the display of a browser plug-in on a web
page, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 4 is view of a display when a user logs in a web page,
in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a display when links included in a
browser plug-in are presented to a user, in accordance with another
exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a browser plug-in, in accordance with
another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a display when user makes a selection
from a browser plug-in, in accordance with another exemplary
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a
method, a system and a computer program for navigating web
pages.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an operational environment 100 for
various embodiments of the present invention. Operational
environment 100 comprises a computing device 102, a browser plug-in
104 installed on computing device 102, a network 106, and an
Account Management Platform (AMP) 108. AMP 108 includes a central
repository 110 and an application 112. Application 112 is a web
server connected to Central repository 110.
[0023] Computing device 102 can access application 112 via network
106. Computing device 102 can be a personal computer, a laptop, a
personal digital assistant (PDA), a cell phone or the like.
Computing device 102 supports browser plug-in 104. Browser plug-in
104 can be software or hardware or a combination thereof. In one
embodiment of the invention, browser plug-in 104 comprises a
graphical user interface (GUI), referred as a consolidation browser
plug-in within a web browser; and a software component referred as
browser plug-in software, installed on computing device 102.
Browser plug-in 104 displays the GUI component inside the browser
of the user in computing device 102. An exemplary browser is the
Microsoft Internet Explorer. However, the invention should not be
considered limited to the use of the Microsoft Internet Explorer
only. Other browsers such as Netscape Navigator, Mozilla, FireFox,
Safari or any other browser can also be used. The GUI component of
browser plug-in 104 provides the user with interactive graphical
images. The actions performed, using graphical images provided by
GUI, give commands to the browser plug-in 104. For example, the
user can click a button in the GUI to view a customized list of
billers. On clicking the button, the browser plug-in 104 will
interact with AMP 108 to extract this information from central
repository 110 and display it to the user inside the browser. The
GUI component is a front end to give commands to browser plug-in
104. For example, when the user makes a selection to view a list of
billers from the GUI, browser plug-in 104 extracts the requested
information and displays it on the screen.
[0024] The GUI component of Browser plug-in 104 is displayed each
time a web browser is launched by the user on computing device 102.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the GUI is displayed and
browser plug-in 104 is activated after the user's authentication.
Browser plug-in 104 communicates with AMP 108 through network 106.
Browser plug-in 104 provides user information at computing device
102 to AMP 108.
[0025] Browser plug-in 104 can be created by using C++ as the
programming language. However, it should not be considered that the
use of programming language is limited to C++. Other programming
languages such as Visual Basic, C#, Java or any other language may
be used.
[0026] According to an embodiment of the invention, the user can
download browser plug-in 104 from a web page hosted by AMP 108. In
another embodiment of the invention, the user can purchase browser
plug-in 104 from the service provider in the form of a computer
program product, such as a CD ROM, a memory stick or card, and the
like. In this case, the service provider can be the operator of AMP
108. In a further embodiment of the invention, the user can view
and access browser plug-in 104 from a web page of a biller. In this
case, the biller provides the browser plug-in to all its customers
on the biller's web site.
[0027] Network 106 can be the Internet, a local area network (LAN),
a wide area network (WAN), or any other type of fixed line or
wireless communication network known to a person skilled in the
art. In one embodiment of the invention, network 106 is the
Internet.
[0028] Application 112 provides an interface for communication
between AMP 108 and computing device 102. The interface facilitates
exchange of data between computing device 102 and central
repository 110 located on AMP 108. Central repository 110 stores
and organizes information relating to multiple users and various
web pages. More specifically, central repository 110 contains
information relating to a variety of billers, their web pages and
their categories. In addition, central repository 110 contains
information pertaining to the profile of the user. In an embodiment
of the invention, the profile of the user comprises authentication
information for authenticating the user, a list of billers of which
the user is a customer, information relating to payment methods
employed by the user, etc. The above-mentioned system elements are
explained in detail hereafter.
Central Repository 110
[0029] Central repository 110 is a database where information is
stored. The information can include the profile of the user.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the user profile
comprises information for authenticating the user, to access AMP
108 through browser plug-in 104. The authentication information can
be in the form of a user name and a password, which is provided by
the user at the time browser plug-in 104, is installed. Central
repository 110 also contains the information pertaining to the web
pages saved by the user. The user can save web pages by clicking an
appropriate button or graphical image in the GUI component of
browser plug-in 104.
[0030] In an embodiment of the invention, central repository 110
includes information regarding the categories of the web pages. For
example, the web pages may be categorized as bills, travel,
shopping and the like. In addition to the categories, central
repository 110 stores keywords and special links for each category.
For example, the keywords can be `view bill`, `pay bill` and so
forth for a utility site and `view statement` for a bank site. In
an embodiment of the invention, the special links can be the
sponsored links. The sponsored links can be additional links that
can be provided by a web page for promoting its products, providing
news or for any other special feature of the web page.
Application 112
[0031] Application 112 provides an interface for communication
between browser plug-in 104 and central repository 110. More
specifically, application 112 provides a web-based interface, which
enables the user to communicate with AMP 108. The user may
communicate with AMP 108 to view, add, modify or delete information
pertaining to the user's profile or the web pages saved by the user
in central repository 110. In an exemplary embodiment of the
invention, each time the user provides authentication information
to browser plug-in 104, application 112 verifies the authentication
information. This verification is performed by comparing the
profile of the user in central repository 110 with the
authentication information provided by the user. The user is
considered to be authenticated if the information matches.
Application 112 activates browser plug-in 104 for an authenticated
user.
[0032] Programs residing in application 112 provide the user with
the services of the invention. According to an embodiment of the
invention, the services provided include a display of a list of web
pages that are of interest to the user.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for navigating a web
page, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
At step 202, a web page is downloaded by the user in the browser by
typing a URL or accessing the account from browser plug-in 104. At
step 203, browser plug-in 104 is initiated, when a user downloads a
new web page in the browser of the user. In an embodiment of the
invention, the web page to be downloaded can be selected from a
list of web pages provided by browser plug-in 104.
[0034] At step 204, browser plug-in 104 extracts the domain name
from the Universal Resource Locator (URL) of the web page that has
been downloaded. The domain name is used to search information
relating to the web page. The domain name of the web page is used
to obtain the category of the web page. Browser plug-in 104 obtains
the information regarding the category from central repository 110.
In an embodiment of the invention, a set of keywords is associated
with each category. For identifying keywords browser plug-in
searches the Central repository 110. Central repository 110
contains category such as bills, travel, shopping etc. Each
category contains menu items which refer to specific web pages. For
example in case of bill the menu items are "view statement", "make
payment" and "payment history" etc. In the case of shopping sites
it can be "my orders", "shopping cart" etc. For each menu item
there is a set of menu item keywords. For example "view bill" can
have the following keywords associated with it "account activity",
"bill details", "billing", "manage bill", "manage your bill", "my
statement", "see statement", "payment information", "statements",
"view bill", "view my bill", "view my statement" etc. At step 206,
browser plug-in 104 determines the category based on the web page
and recognizes the menu that needs to be built from the list of
Menu Items. Browser plug-in 104 identifies information from the web
page for each menu item, and attempts to match the information to
the menu item keywords. Moreover, browser plug-in 104 identifies
keywords associated with the images that are linked to the web
pages. Thereafter, at step 208, browser plug-in 104 searches for a
match to the keywords in the web page. In an embodiment of the
invention, a combination of keywords is used to search links in the
web page. In an embodiment of the invention, browser plug-in 104
searches for an exact match to the keywords. Thereafter, a partial
match is searched, if an exact match is not available. For each
successful match, browser plug-in 104 associates the URL to the
menu item. The menu item and the URL pairs make up the site
menu.
[0035] In an embodiment of the invention, browser plug-in 104
searches for broken links on a website. Broken links are the links
that do not function because a linked web page has been deleted or
the address of the linked web page is modified. Browser plug-in 104
tracks the links for determining the broken links. A broken link is
determined by browser plug-in when the link is clicked within a web
page by the user. In an embodiment of the invention, the broken
links are marked by browser plug-in 104 to help the user identify
them.
[0036] In an embodiment of the invention, for individual websites
browser plug-in 104 allows overriding of the links in the web site
for the automatic mapping for a specific domain. In an embodiment
of the invention, browser plug-in 104 marks the links which are
overridden. The overriding is required when the web page associated
with the link is required to be changed to a different web page or
disabled. The override can be for the menu item keyword, or URL or
image URL information, which is used by the browser plug-in 104 to
create the URL. Browser plug-in 104 can also set up other custom
menu items and URL. This is typically done by a biller/merchant who
wishes to have additional links and quick links specific to their
web site to be included in the menu. The menu items containing the
additional links and the quick links can be edited by an editor of
the website. The editing can be done after proper authentication.
The editor enters the password and the user id for authentication
and subsequently edits the menu items for graphical user interface.
The order of presentation of the Menu Items can be preset in the
central repository or automatically based on usage ranking for the
web page, maintained in the central repository. In an embodiment of
the invention, certain links are pre-assigned to the standard menu
items. The pre-assigned links are determined on the basis of
website usage. Browser plug-in 104 tracks the links clicked within
a webpage by each user. Browser plug-in 104 ranks the web page by
frequency of usage across all users.
[0037] In one embodiment of the invention, browser plug-in 104
searches the match for keywords by reading the program code of the
web page. The web page is written in computer languages such as
Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML), Extensible Markup Language
(XML), and the like. The web page can include links to information
on the same web page, the same web page, a different web page, and
so forth. The links are presented in an HTML or XML code by placing
a linked URL between tags. For example, the tags can be an anchor
tag, `<a> </a>`, a hyperlink tag, `<href>
</href>`. In XML code a sitemenu tag, `<sitemenu>
</sitemenu>`, and in HTML version 1.1 specifications, meta
tag, `<meta>`, can be used to define sitemenu details.
[0038] In an embodiment of the invention, browser plug-in 104
checks to see if the web page contains the <sitemenu> tag.
The <sitemenu> tag includes details regarding the links
contained within the web page along with the descriptions for those
links. If the <sitemenu> tag is present, the details
regarding the links contained within the web page can be obtained.
In an embodiment of the invention, browser plug-in 104 searches for
the keywords within the <sitemenu> tag. In another embodiment
of the invention, browser plug-in 104 searches for information
within the <a> and <href> tags. These tags include
information to other links on the web page.
[0039] At step 210, the information and links obtained from the web
page are encrypted and saved on the user's computer. In an
embodiment of the invention, industry standard encryption is used
for encrypting the information and links obtained from the web
page. Encryption is required to maintain security of the
information. In an embodiment of the invention, saving the
information in the user's computer enhances the performance of
browser plug-in 104 by decreasing the time required for accessing
the information. In another embodiment of the invention, the
information saved on the user's computer may be deleted after the
user logs out of the web page. In another embodiment of the
invention, the saved information is deleted after the user closes
the browser.
[0040] At step 212, browser plug-in 104 presents the information
saved on the user's computer and the information available from
central repository 110 in the form of a menu. The menu contains
descriptive labels for the links. It may also contain icons and/or
page rankings. Some menu items may be inactive or disabled. In an
embodiment of the invention, the links presented by browser plug-in
104 are referred to as `quick links`, `site links` or `account
links`.
[0041] In another embodiment of the invention, browser plug-in 104
counts the number of times the user accesses the web page. For
example, if the user has downloaded the web page for the first
time, browser plug-in 104 will note the number of times user has
accessed the web page as 1. Each time the user downloads the same
web page, browser plug-in 104 increments the count by one. Browser
plug-in 104 communicates this information, in relation to each web
page, to application 112. In an embodiment of the invention, this
information is used to rank the web page. The ranking can be based
on the popularity of the web page, derived from the number of times
all the user of browser plug-in 104 download the web page.
[0042] In an embodiment of the invention, the menu can be listed in
a predefined order, or based on usage ranking by an individual user
or community of users, or by ordering specified by a biller or the
user.
[0043] In another embodiment of the invention, this information is
used to identify a new biller and to add this biller to central
repository 110.
[0044] In an embodiment of the invention, browser plug-in 104 is
displayed in a format that is similar to the menu on Microsoft's
Windows application. Other formats that are widely in use, or
formats that are provided by other operating systems, may also be
employed. Images and icons on browser plug-in 104 can be utilized
to make it attractive and user friendly.
[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates the display of browser plug-in 104 on a
web page, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention. Browser plug-in 104 displayed in FIG. 4 relates to
Verizon's web page. Browser plug-in 104 can be seen on top of the
web page, below the address browser plug-in, and inside the browser
window. Browser plug-in 104 has been illustrated as categorized
into two parts: a first part 302 and a second part 304. The first
part and second part together constitutes the site menu. The first
part 302 consists of four standard buttons: "My Accounts",
"eWallet", "Save Page", and "Sign Off" The names and icons could be
customized as needed. The second part 304 consists of buttons that
display URLs that are specific to the displayed web page. The
standard buttons of first part 304 encapsulate various services
commonly provided by different web pages. Also, these services, for
example "Sign Off", are provided after the user provides
authentication for accessing a web page.
[0046] In one embodiment of the invention, the `My Accounts`
standard button of browser plug-in 104 provides a list of user
accounts on various websites. For example, the user may create an
account for paying bills of mobile phone, credit card and the like.
The `eWallet` standard button of browser plug-in 104 provides
automated filling of forms on web pages. The forms may require
information that includes standard information such as name,
address, credit card number and other details of the user. The
`Save Page` standard button of browser plug-in 104 saves the
displayed web page on the computer of the user. The `Sign Off`
standard button of browser plug-in 104 facilitates logging out of
the application 112 and browser plug-in 104. The second part 304
includes a "Quick Link" button. In one embodiment of the invention,
the `Quick Link` button provides links to the information relevant
to the user from a web page. The functions provided by the `Quick
Link` button are explained in details in conjunction with FIG.
5.
[0047] Browser plug-in 104 facilitates ease of navigation for the
user since it provides an interface that is familiar to the user's
sight. Example screenshot of a web page in FIG. 3 illustrates that
interface provided by browser plug-in 104 is similar in appearance
to the menu browser plug-in provided by Microsoft Windows.TM..
[0048] FIG. 4 is view of a display when the user logs in a web
page, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the
invention. In an embodiment of the invention, a `Quick Link` button
of browser plug-in 104 is displayed as inactive if the information
searched, based on the category of the web page, is not available
in the web page. In another embodiment of the invention, the `Quick
Link` button of browser plug-in 104 is displayed as inactive if the
user is required to provide authentication before downloading a web
page. For example, a user name and password are required as a means
for authenticating the user to access a web page of a bank.
[0049] FIG. 5 illustrates browser plug-in 104, in accordance with
another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The `Quick Link`
standard button of browser plug-in 104 includes quick link items
502. Quick link items 502 include common links 504 and special
links 506. In an embodiment of the invention, special links 506 are
provided by browser plug-in 104 only if the biller of displayed web
page is classified as a preferred biller. In an embodiment of the
invention, quick link items 502 provide links to various services
available on the web page.
[0050] Common links 504 includes links to common services provided
by the displayed web page. For example, the links to common
services provided by a banking web site may be bill payments,
account summary, transaction details and the like.
[0051] Special links 506 provides services that are sponsored. The
sponsored services include services that are specific to a web site
and may be chargeable to the user. For example, the sponsored
services can include promotional schemes, service updates and the
like. The user can access the other parts of the web site by using
the sponsored services under special links 506. In one embodiment
of the invention, special links 506 is displayed below common links
504.
[0052] Text 508 is a link to a sponsored service as displayed in
the web page. In an embodiment of the invention, the link to
sponsored services provided by text 508 is similar to the links
provided by special links 506.
[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates a display when links included in browser
plug-in 104 are presented to the user, in accordance with another
exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 shows links included
in common links 504, such as `Pay Bill`, `View Bill`, `Payment
History` and `Log Out`, in an exemplary embodiment of the
invention. Further, the link "view bill" is associated with quick
links like "account activity", "bill details", "billing", "manage
bill", "manage your bill", "my statement", "see statement",
"payment information", "statements", "view bill", "view my bill",
"view my statement" and the like.
[0054] FIG. 7 illustrates a display when user makes a selection
from browser plug-in 104, in accordance with another exemplary
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 shows an account summary for a
payment of a bill. The account summary is displayed by selecting
links presented by browser plug-in 104. For example, a `View Bill`
link is selected from common links 504 to display the account
summary.
[0055] The various embodiments of the invention enable the user to
navigate through the web site from web pages on that web site.
Further, the user can fill information in a web page. Additionally,
the various embodiments of the invention offer the information in a
categorized manner. The various embodiments of the invention also
offer the user to save information in an encrypted form on the
computer of the user. Also, AMP 108 can learn about new web pages
from the web pages accessed by various users of browser plug-in
104. These web pages can then be categorized according to the type
of service offered therein. Thus, the present invention facilitates
the user to navigate through web pages in various web sites.
[0056] A person skilled in the art can appreciate that all the
connections between various elements of the system of the present
invention may be wired or wireless, depending on the requirements
of the system. Also, it should be noted that it is not necessary
that the various processing machines and/or storage elements are
physically located in the same geographical location. The
processing machines and/or storage elements may be located in
geographically distinct locations and connected to each other, to
enable communication. This facilitates convenient and speedy
navigation of web pages.
[0057] The system, as described in the present invention or any of
its components, may be embodied in the form of a computer system.
Typical examples of a computer system includes a general-purpose
computer, a PDA, a cell phone, a programmed microprocessor, a
micro-controller, a peripheral integrated circuit element, and
other devices or arrangements of devices that are capable of
implementing the steps that constitute the method of the present
invention.
[0058] In a computer system comprising a general-purpose computer,
such may include an input device, a display unit and the Internet.
Specifically, the computer may comprise a microprocessor, the
microprocessor connected to a communication bus. The computer may
also include a memory. Memory may include Random Access Memory
(RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). The computer system further
comprises a storage device. It can be a hard disk drive or a
removable storage drive such as a floppy disk drive, optical disk
drive and the like. The storage device can also comprise other,
similar means for loading computer programs or other instructions
into the computer system.
[0059] A PDA is a mobile handheld computer system, which comprises
an input device such as a stylus or a keyboard, a memory, a
microprocessor, a display, and a plurality of communication
ports.
[0060] The computer system comprises a communication device to
communicate with a remote computer through a network. The
communication device can be a wireless communication port, a data
cable connecting the computer system with the network, and the
like. The network can be a local area network (LAN), WLAN, or wide
area network (WAN) such as the Internet, and the like. The remote
computer that is connected to the network can be a general-purpose
computer, a server, a PDA, and the like. Further, the computer
system can access information from the remote computer through the
network.
[0061] The computer system executes a set of instructions that are
stored in one or more storage elements, in order to process input
data. The storage elements may also hold data or other information
as desired. The storage element may be in the form of an
information source or a physical memory element present in the
processing machine.
[0062] The set of instructions may include various commands that
instruct the processing machine to perform specific tasks such as
the steps that constitute the method of the present invention. The
set of instructions may be in the form of a software program. The
software may be in various forms such as system software or
application software. Further, the software might be in the form of
a collection of separate programs, a program module with a larger
program or a portion of a program module. The software might also
include modular programming in the form of object-oriented
programming. The software program or programs may be provided as a
computer program product, such as, for example, in the form of a
computer readable medium having the program or programs containing
the set of instructions embodied therein. The processing of input
data by the processing machine may be in response to user commands,
or in response to results of previous processing or in response to
a request made by another processing machine.
[0063] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the
present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention
may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and
the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
* * * * *